IseeBlack
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Chapter 14: New Weapons
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 09:51:52 +0000 UTC[Unyielding Spirit: This ability can only be activated when the host, as a member of the Aoba Johsai team, is trailing by 5 points during a match. It ensures that the team does not succumb to low morale. For every point regained, all team members' comprehensive ability increases by 1 until the score is evened out, at which point the team buff disappears.]
Hmm, the effect is excellent, but it's so hard to trigger. In volleyball, unless there's a significant skill gap, continuous scoring streaks are rare outside of serving sequences.
And being down by five points in a match typically means the difference in skill levels is immense, making a comeback seem almost impossible.
Still, despite his inner complaints, Taichi understood the importance of this skill. A team buff—it was the first time he had seen an ability that could positively affect his teammates.
"Taichi, daydreaming again, huh?" Toru Oikawa strolled over with a teasing smile.
For some reason, Oikawa always felt that this underclassman of his didn't quite blend with the team. Taichi seemed sharp, trained diligently, and treated his seniors with utmost respect. Yet, there was always a sense of detachment between him and the rest of the squad.
Oikawa often spotted him either observing the team intently or standing off to the side, lost in thought.
That won't do, Oikawa thought. As captain and senior, it's my duty to help my introverted kouhai.
With this noble intention, Oikawa slung an arm around Taichi's shoulders from behind. "Hey, Taichi, want to secure a spot in the starting lineup? How about I teach you a few tricks?"
Taichi subtly stepped out of Oikawa's grasp, maintaining a polite smile. "Sure, Oikawa-senpai. I've actually been working on some new techniques I'd like to test. Could you set the ball higher for me later, and then..."
Though momentarily disappointed by Taichi's avoidance, Oikawa quickly perked up, nodding enthusiastically. As the conversation unfolded, the rest of the first-years gathered around, discussing strategies for the upcoming 6v6 match. After all, a starting lineup spot was on the line, and unlike the ever-composed Oikawa, most of them were anything but secure.
Seeing Taichi engaging with the others, Oikawa noticed something different about him. Nice, my pep talk seems to have worked.
"Tweet!" The coach's whistle blew. "Two teams, take your positions. The match is starting."
The game began with fierce competition between the upperclassmen and underclassmen. Coach Irihata and team manager-coach Mizoguchi stood at the sidelines, analyzing the players' performances with their tactics board.
"Hanamaki and Matsukawa, as third-years, are technically solid across the board and rarely make mistakes," Coach Irihata commented. "Their long-term synergy with Oikawa and Iwaizumi is evident. A single glance from Oikawa is enough to coordinate a play."
"As for Watari," Mizoguchi noted, "his receiving has improved considerably, but as a libero, he lacks the ability to anchor the team during critical moments. That could be fatal in matches against tougher opponents."
The first-years, on the other hand, showcased distinct strengths, but their glaring weaknesses made them easy targets. However, if utilized properly, their unpredictability could turn them into wild cards.
"Block him!" Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa leapt into position, forming a formidable three-man block.
"Whoa, the third-years aren't holding back!"
"Triple block!" Oikawa called out to Taichi, who was poised to spike. The initial pass hadn't been ideal, and Oikawa's set was slightly low—there was little chance of breaking through such a solid wall.
Oikawa stepped back, preparing to recover the ball once it was inevitably deflected.
"Second chance! Let's go again!" Taichi shouted decisively. Realizing he couldn't score against the block, he aimed his spike at the top edge of their hands.
It worked. The ball ricocheted off the blockers' fingertips and floated into the underclassmen's side.
Was that luck? Oikawa wondered, observing Taichi prepare for his next attack. No, it wasn't. This kid... Was that his new move?
Watari received the ball cleanly, sending it back to Oikawa for another set.
"Here we go, hit it again!" Oikawa called, delivering the ball to Taichi with perfect timing.
"Not a chance!" The three blockers leapt again, determined to shut him down.
This time, Taichi stretched mid-air, his body fully extended. Riding the momentum of his earlier play, he felt in peak form. With precision, he spiked the ball toward the edge of the block.
The ball struck Hanamaki's wrist and deflected out of bounds.
An off-the-block shot! Taichi scored with a well-placed spike!
"Yesssss!" Taichi roared, punching the air in excitement. Though his shot was slightly off from where he had aimed, he had finally captured the elusive feeling he'd been chasing. Oikawa's sets felt far better than practising solo spikes.
"Nice spike," Oikawa Toru praised, raising his hand for a celebratory high-five.
Taichi leapt up, meeting Oikawa's hand with an enthusiastic smack. The last time he scored was during the practice match against Karasuno. Back then, just keeping up with Shoyo Hinata had drained all his energy.
But this....this was the first time Taichi had achieved victory in an intense aerial exchange entirely through his own ability. This moment encapsulated everything he found captivating about volleyball. It ignited a longing for more—more moments like this, more opportunities to discover that unique joy in every jump, every play, every clash.
Oikawa caught a glimpse of Taichi's expression and froze for a brief moment. His sharp instincts detected a hunger in Taichi's eyes—a burning desire for victory, a restless drive to keep improving.
On the sidelines, Coach Irihata let out an impressed hum. After observing a few more plays, he turned to Manager Sadayuki Mizoguchi. "What do you think? About that kid?"
Mizoguchi knew Irihata was referring to Taichi Kaedehara. After some thought, he replied, "Taichi's ball sense is solid, and he shows promise in blocking. But his fundamentals are still lacking—there's a lot he needs to learn..."
"I'm planning to put him in the starting lineup," Coach Irihata interrupted decisively.
Mizoguchi was taken aback. "Why? If we're talking about overall balance, the third-years are far more reliable. Even among the first-years, Kindaichi and Kunimi, who came up from Kitagawa Daiichi, are more immediate assets than Taichi."
Irihata waited patiently for Mizoguchi to finish before responding with a meaningful look. "Do you remember Taichi Kaedehara from two weeks ago?"
Mizoguchi blinked in surprise. He struggled to recall anything specific about Taichi from two weeks ago—just an ordinary player with decent speed, nothing particularly memorable.
Irihata chuckled. "Never underestimate how quickly young players can grow. Sometimes, all it takes is a moment for them to break out of their cocoon and emerge as something entirely different."
"But," Mizoguchi hesitated, "couldn't we use him the same way we did in the practice match against Karasuno? Let him play a key role when it's critical. With less than two months until the Inter-High preliminaries, wouldn't it be safer to rely on players with a stronger foundation?"
"Mizoguchi!" Irihata's voice grew firm. "We've played it safe before, haven't we? Did that win us the match against Shiratorizawa? If we want to evolve as a team, we need to find new weapons!"
"New weapons?" Mizoguchi murmured, his gaze shifting back to the court. Taichi was once again facing a triple block.
Will it be another off-the-block shot? Mizoguchi wondered. Yet, as he watched Taichi's movements, something unexpected happened, making his eyes widen in shock.
A tip.
Taichi had tipped the ball gently over the three blockers, sending it into the empty space behind them. Watari and Tamaki dove desperately to save it, but their efforts were in vain. The ball landed just out of reach. Lying on the floor, they raised their heads to stare at Taichi.
Witnessing this, Sadayuki Mizoguchi suddenly understood what Coach Irihata was aiming for.
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